Coaches Bo Pelini, Will Muschamp get support of athletic directors

Dan Loumena

Embattled coaches Bo Pelini of Nebraska and Will Muschamp of Florida were given votes of confidence by their respective athletic directors on Saturday.

That really means nothing in today's high-stakes world of college football, other than they are not fired at this time. Each AD said he looked forward to his coach continuing at the helm in the future, though.

Pelini has been under fire in Lincoln as the Cornhuskers have struggled to compete for a Big Ten Conference title, finishing the regular season with an 8-4 record after a loss to Iowa on Friday. The fiery coach threw what has become a familiar tirade on the sideline during the game in protest of a penalty and said afterward, "if they want to fire me, go ahead."

Nebraska Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst released a statement Saturday saying no such action would be taken and that “we very much look forward to our upcoming bowl game and Coach Pelini continuing to lead our program in the future.”

Muschamp's Gators have struggled through injuries and upsets to a 4-7 record after six consecutive losses. It's the first losing season for Florida since 1979, but Athletic Director Jeremy Foley told reporters in an impromptu news conference on Saturday that Muschamp has his confidence.

“We haven't made an excuse all year and we're not going to make them now," Foley said. "We know what this program is all about. I have total confidence in Coach Muschamp and have made that clear."